Ergonomic Hair Washing Basin

ABSTRACT

An ergonomically designed hair washing basin for bed-ridden patients is made of a water receptacle defined by a bottom surface, two parallel elongated side panels and two parallel shortened side panels. Each side panel is connected to the bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge. One elongated side panel has an upper edge being curved at an angle to form an integrally constructed neck contour and a concave neck support extension which extends outwardly from an outer surface of the elongated side panel, and which terminates in a tapered terminating edge. The remaining side panels also have upper curved terminating edges that are substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/450,024 filed on Mar. 7, 2011 and is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices for medical and institutional patient care, and in particular to an ergonomically constructed basin for washing a patient's hair while the patient is in bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin with concave neck support extension.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin with concave neck support extension.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin with concave neck support extension.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin with concave neck support extension.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin which further includes additional components.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin which further includes a basin divider.

GLOSSARY

As used herein, the term “concave neck support extension” means a curved section of a basin which receives the head and neck of a user.

As used herein, the term “curved terminating edge” means a terminating edge which is curved.

As used herein, the term “curved handle sections” means a portion of an upper edge which extends from a side panel and may be used as a handle.

As used herein, the term “edge radius” radius of curvature of the curved terminating edge of a side panel.

As used herein, the term “elongated side panel” refers to a side panel which is longer than a shortened side panel.

As used herein, the term “ergonomic” means designed to minimize physical effort and discomfort.

As used herein, the term “radius of contour” means a radial measurement which indicates the size and shape of a contour.

As used herein, the term “shortened side panel” means a side panel which is shorter than an elongated side panel.

As used herein, the term “single step hair moistening component” means a solution which moistens the hair and distributes a cleansing solution (e.g. shampoo in a single step).

As used herein, the term “spill-resistant barrier” means a barrier such as a lid or panel which prevents the escape of water from the basin

As used herein, the term “tapered terminating edge” means the outer most edge of a concave neck support extension which narrows.

BACKGROUND

There is an impending crisis in the health care field due to rapid growth of the elderly population relative to the number of care providers available to assist them. In 1950, the ratio of working adults to elderly persons was 8:1. This projected ratio will decline to 5:1 by 2020, and by 2050, it will drop to only three working adults per elderly person. It is thus critical to develop technologies that maximize caregiver efficiency. It is also important to minimize stress placed upon caregivers in both domestic and institutional settings.

Daily care bathing and washing activities consume a significant amount of caregiver time. Hair washing for elderly and other bed-ridden patients is a task that currently requires careful coordination. A patient's head must be suspended or supported above a basin. Current basins have identically proportioned side members and are ill-suited for this task.

Therefore, a need exists for a portable ergonomic hair washing basin and system which requires fewer steps and uses less water.

Further, a need exists for a hair washing basin which is less hazardous and reduces substance exposure that can lead to hazard.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

The present invention is an ergonomically designed hair washing basin for bed-ridden patients. The hair washing basin is comprised of a water receptacle defined by a bottom surface, two parallel elongated side panels and two parallel shortened side panels. Each side panel is connected to the bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge. One elongated side panel has an upper edge being curved at an angle to form an integrally constructed neck contour and a concave neck support extension which extends outwardly from an outer surface of the elongated side panel, and which terminates in a tapered terminating edge. The remaining side panels also have upper curved terminating edges that are substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of an ergonomically designed hair washing basin for patient care, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent shapes and structures may be utilized. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100, which includes water receptacle 10 for receiving water to wash hair. In the embodiment shown, water receptacle 10 is defined by rectangular shaped bottom surface 15, shortened side panels 20 a and 20 b, and elongated side panels 20 c and 20 d. Each side panel 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d has bottom rounded edge 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d, respectively, which connect to bottom surface 15.

In the embodiment shown, each side panel also has an upper curved terminating edge 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d, respectively. In the embodiment shown, curved terminating edges 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d are curved between 90 and 180 degrees relative to the side panel so that they form a smooth curved surface with a lip on the bottom side.

In the embodiment shown, curved terminating edges 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d have a radius of 0.375 inches. In further exemplary embodiments, curved terminating edges 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d may have a radius of between 0.250 and 1.000 inch. In still further exemplary embodiments, one or more shortened side panels 20 a and 20 b, and elongated side panels 20 c and 20 d may be reinforced with ribs or other structural members.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 includes curved handle sections 29 a and 29 b. Curved handle section 29 a is integrally molded into curved terminating edge 24 a of shortened side panel 20 a. Likewise, curved handle section 29 b is integrally molded into curved terminating edge 24 b of shortened side panel 20 b. Curved handle sections 29 a and 29 b are contoured sections which project out horizontally and vertically from curved terminating edges 24 a and 24 b.

In the embodiment shown, curved terminating edge 24 d, of elongated side panel 20 d, has ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 positioned centrally within elongated side panel 20 d. In the embodiment shown, ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 is a semi-elliptically shaped contour in curved terminating edge 24 d which is adapted to receive the head and neck of a patient. In other embodiments, ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 may be rounded or rectangular shaped.

Further, in the embodiment shown, ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 includes integrally constructed concave neck support extension 30. In further exemplary embodiments, concave neck support extension 30 may be separately molded and adapted to fit within ergonomically adapted neck contour 28. Concave neck support extension 30 narrows to a tapered terminating edge.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, concave neck support extension 30 is ergonomically shaped to provide maximum support and comfort to a patient, and may be placed at an angle relative to elongated side panel 20 d of between 20 and 120 degrees. In further exemplary embodiments, concave neck support extension 30 may be sloped toward bottom surface 15 at an angle not greater than 30 degrees to help water run back into water receptacle 10. A slope greater than 30 degrees does not provide ergonomic support for a patient's head and neck.

In the embodiment shown, concave neck support extension 30 may extend 1 to 9 inches from elongated side panel 20 d. In the embodiment shown, ergonomic hair washing basin 100 is capable of holding at least one gallon of water.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of ergonomic hair washing basin 100 with concave neck support extension 30 which extends from 1 to 9 inches from elongated side panel 20 d. Shortened side panel 20 b has bottom rounded edge 26 b and curved terminating edge 24 b. Curved terminating edge 24 b includes curved handle section 29 b. In the embodiment shown, the sides of shortened side panel 20 b are integrally connected to elongated side panels 20 c and 20 d by a smooth curved edge. In other embodiments, side panels may not be connected by a smooth curved section but may be hard 90 degree corners.

In the embodiment shown, side panels 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d are also integrally molded to bottom surface 15 by bottom rounded edges 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, and 26 d which are smooth and have a contoured radius of 1.000 inch. In other embodiments, bottom rounded edges may be sharper 90 degree corners.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin 100 with concave neck support extension 30. In the embodiment shown, water receptacle 10 is defined by rectangular shaped bottom surface 15, shortened side panels 20 a and 20 b, and elongated side panels 20 c and 20 d. Each side panel has an upper curved terminating edge 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 includes curved handle sections 29 a and 29 b integrally molded with the upper edges of shortened side panels 20 a and 20 b. In the embodiment shown, curved handle sections are adapted to receive the hands of a user for carrying the washing basin. In other embodiments, curved handle sections may be rectangular shaped.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of ergonomic hair washing basin 100 with concave neck support extension 30. In the embodiment shown, concave neck support extension 30 is ergonomically shaped to provide maximum support and comfort to a patient, and may be placed at an angle relative to elongated side panel 20 d of between 20 and 120 degrees. In the embodiment shown, concave neck support extension 30 may extend from elongated side panel 20 d from 1 to 9 inches.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic hair washing basin 100 which includes water receptacle 10 for receiving water to wash hair. In the embodiment shown, water receptacle 10 is defined by rectangular shaped bottom surface 15, shortened side panels 20 a and 20 b, and elongated side panels 20 c and 20 d. Each side panel 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d has bottom rounded edge 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d, respectively, which connect to bottom surface 15.

In the embodiment shown, each side panel also has an upper curved terminating edge 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment shown, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 includes curved handle sections 29 a and 29 b. Curved handle sections 29 a and 29 b are contoured sections which project out horizontally and vertically from curved terminating edges 24 a and 24 b.

In the embodiment shown, curved terminating edge 24 d, of elongated side panel 20 d, has ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 positioned centrally within elongated side panel 20 d. In the embodiment shown, ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 is a semi-elliptically shaped contour in curved terminating edge 24 d which is adapted to receive the head and neck of a patient.

Further, in the embodiment shown, ergonomically adapted neck contour 28 includes integrally constructed concave neck support extension 30. In further exemplary embodiments, concave neck support extension 30 may be separately molded and adapted to fit within ergonomically adapted neck contour 28. Concave neck support extension 30 narrows to a tapered terminating edge.

In the embodiment shown, ergonomic hair washing basin 100 further includes protective padding component 40 adapted to protect a patients neck and skin. Padded component 40 may be integrally or separately molded and adapted to fit within concave neck support extension 30.

In various embodiments, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 may be sold or implemented as a system which further includes a cup (not shown) or other implement for pouring water over a patient's head for rinsing, or may include separate reservoirs, compartments or other receptacles for fresh water, shampoo, toiletries, and/or hair washing implements. In various other embodiments, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 may be comprised of plastic, metal, or a bio-degradable material and/or may be disposable or reusable.

In the embodiment shown, ergonomically designed hair washing basin 100 further includes plug 50 for draining water from water receptacle 10. In the embodiment shown, plug 50 is inserted into a small hole in one of the side panels and may be made of rubber, cork, silicon, plastic, or any other material known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown, lid 60 is a spill-resistant barrier and may be used to cover water receptacle 10 to prevent water and hazardous material from splashing out.

FIG. 6 is an alternative exemplary embodiment of hair washing basin 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, hair washing basin 100 further includes contoured basin divider 70, which divides water receptacle 10 into two compartments 12 a and 12 b. For example, one side may be used during rinsing soapy hair, while the other side may be used for clean water. In other embodiments, basin divider 70 may be integrated in other locations along the length of the basin of may be configured in the opposite direction. In an example where basin divider 70 is located where a patients head would be located, basin divider 70 would be contoured to accommodate a user head. 

1. A hair washing basin apparatus comprised of: a water receptacle having a bottom surface, a first elongated side panel having a lower edge connected to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge, and an upper edge being curved at an angle to form an integrally constructed neck contour, a second elongated side panel having a lower edge connected to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge, and having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface, a first shortened side panel attached to said first elongated side panel, said second elongated side panel, and to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface, and a second shortened side attached to said first elongated side panel, said second elongated side panel, and to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface; and a concave neck support extension which extends outwardly from an outer surface of said first elongated side panel, said concave neck support extension terminating in a tapered terminating edge.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said curved terminating edges have a radius of between 0.250 and 1.000 inches.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said curved terminating edges have a radius of 0.375 inches.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of concave neck support extension is 1 to 9 inches.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hair washing basin apparatus is semi-rectangular in shape.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tapered terminating edge is a rounded terminating edge.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius of said bottom rounded edges have a radius of 1.000 inch.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neck support extension slopes downwardly toward said bottom surface at an angle less than 30 degrees.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neck support extension is covered with a quantity of foam padding which is molded to fit over said neck support extension.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neck support extension has a curved terminating edge.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neck support extension extends outwardly from said first elongated side panel at an angle between 20 and 120 degrees.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water receptacle is capable of holding at least one gallon of water.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a plug for discharging water.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 where said water receptacle is further divided into two sections by a basin divider.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second shortened side panels contain integrally constructed curved handle sections.
 16. A portable hair washing system comprised of: a detached basin comprised of a bottom surface, a first elongated side panel having a lower edge connected to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge, and an upper edge being curved at an angle to form an integrally constructed neck contour, a second elongated side panel having a lower edge connected to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge, and having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface, a first shortened side panel attached to said first elongated side panel, said second elongated side panel, and to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface, and a second shortened side attached to said first elongated side panel, said second elongated side panel, and to said bottom surface by a bottom rounded edge having an upper curved terminating edge that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface; and concave neck support extension which extends perpendicularly from an outer surface of said first elongated side panel, said concave neck support extension terminating in a tapered terminating edge; and a hair wetting component.
 17. The system of claim 17, further including a pouring receptacle, a sponge, and a water absorbent cloth.
 18. The system of claim 17, further including a container of a single step hair moistening component.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein said detached basin is for transporting water
 20. The system of claim 17, further including a spill-resistant lid for transporting water within said detached basin. 